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Alexander

Pronunciation: al-ik-ZAN-der (key)

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Origin of the name Alexander:

A compound Greek name composed of the elements alexein (to defend, to help) and andros (man): hence, “defender or helper of mankind.” The name was borne by Alexander the Great (356—323 B.C.), a Macedonian king and military conqueror who helped spread the Greek culture across Asia Minor to Egypt and India. Var: Aleksandr, Aleksandur, Alexander, Alexandras. Short: Alek, Alekos, Alex, Alexei, Alexios, Alexis, Sander, Sandros

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Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Alexander!

Comments and insights on the name Alexander: | Edit

Alexander has a history with Jews -- when Alexander the Great conquered Jerusalem, he didn't sack or burn the city, so the grateful rabbis decreed that all male babies born that year would be named after the conqueror-- Alexander.

Personal experiences with the name Alexander: | Edit

My husband's best friend is name Alexander, although he usually goes by 'Alex.' He's a wonderful guy. Pretty introspective, thoughtful, creative. He loves music, gravitates towards earth-friendly living, and hates wearing shoes (if he could go barefoot all the time, he would). Non-materialistic, kind of a wandering soul that just wants to travel and live simply. Also, my grandfather's middle name. My grandfather was born in Sweden in 1920 and the name was extremely popular there at the time.

Nicknames for Alexander: | Edit

Al, Alec, Alek, Aleksi, Alex, Alexi, Lex, Sander, San, Sandy, Sasha, Sashko, Sasho, X, Xan, Xander, Zander, Anders, Exder, Alan, Andy, Ali

Meanings and history of the name Alexander: | Edit

"Protector of Mankind"

Famous real-life people named Alexander: | Edit

Alexander "AJ" McLean, Backstreet Boys singer
Alexander Gaskarth, lead singer of the band All Time Low
Alexander "Alex" Suarez, bass guitarist of the band Cobra Starship
Alex Trebek, Jeopardy host
Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
Alexander Hamilton, Colonial American statesman
Alexander Fleming, discovered penicillin
Alexander the Great
Three tsars of Russia
Alexander Ovechkin: Professional Hockey Player
Alexander Pushkin: Father of Russian Literature; Poet.
Alexander "Sasha" Pete Schreiber, son of actor Liev Schreiber and actress Naomi Watts
Alexander McQueen: British fashion designer and couturier
Alexander 'Alex' Rodriguez, professional baseball player.

Alexander in song, story & screen: | Edit

Alex, the droog from "A Clockwork Orange"
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No good, Very Bad Day -- great book!
Alex & Emma (Romantic Comedy ca. 2003)
Alexander Burnett (better known as Alex)is a character in the book series The Medallion of Franzek by the Argentine writer Canela Lopez Fassón.
Alexander Goth, character of The Sims series.
Alexander "Xander" Harris from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Alexander's Ragtime Band-- A song, an immortal one! (Irving Berlin, 1911)
Alexander Lightwood- A character in The Mortal Instruments book series by Cassandra Clare.
Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor - Supermans bestfriend and enemy

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